Seam Ripping Trick

[Jelfish]

Hi all

Since I seem to encourage everyone to post stuff, it's only right if I post something as well.

Today I was working on a cover to my comforter that had ripped. Since the fabric I bought was in the wrong shape, I had to build it in pieces.

So after sewing like 2 meters of stitch I came to the harrowing conclusion that I stitched a piece in the wrong place. My heart sunk as I reached for the seam ripper.

After about 15 minutes of mind-numbing stitch-picking, I decided to experiment with ways to rip faster and I came up with one. It's probably not that amazing, but I was excited enough about it to make a video and share it with you!

Here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZMoPZYd1fY

Jelfish

[Coffee]

I usually just pull the two pieces taut, with the ball (small) side of the stitch ripper inside, and the long side outside, and run the blade down the seam. That's what works for me!

[miss.green.tea]

hah that's kinda what i do except not consistently...

[Jelfish]

I usually just pull the two pieces taut, with the ball (small) side of the stitch ripper inside, and the long side outside, and run the blade down the seam. That's what works for me!

Oh.. my ripper does not have a ball. :(

Jelfish :D

[Jelfish]

hah that's kinda what i do except not consistently...

You should try it. It's actually a lot of fun. If you get like 2 or 3 feet worth of sparsely picked stitches and then rip them all at once. It makes seam ripping almost enjoyable.

Jelfish

[Coffee]

Oh.. my ripper does not have a ball. :(

Jelfish :D

Well then, maybe you should see if you can get one with a ball.

It makes it much less likely that you'll rip the fabric!

[Jelfish]

I usually just pull the two pieces taut, with the ball (small) side of the stitch ripper inside, and the long side outside, and run the blade down the seam. That's what works for me!

I tried it with the small side of my ripper and on the times I don't poke through the fabric, it would occasionally start tearing into the sides of the fabric where the stitches were attached.

I dunno, maybe I have a bad ripper.

[Coffee]

Maybe you do.

I actually have two rippers.

Because I'm awesome like that.

[Jelfish]

Maybe you do.

I actually have two rippers.

Because I'm awesome like that.

Man, I just can't win, huh. :(

[Coffee]

Maybe not.

But if it makes you feel better, I'm of the belief that we're all born to lose.

[Jelfish]

Maybe not.

But if it makes you feel better, I'm of the belief that we're all born to lose.

Then all that matters is that I lose less than everyone else around me. I think I'm going to buy a few new seam rippers now ;).

Jelfish

[Grey Squirrel]

I had a cheap seam ripper, and then I was using my friends one day and noticed a difference. Mine was not really sharp in the 'U' part of the ripper, but hers had almost a blade like area, so it cut the stitches...where as mine just tugged them. Maybe the more expensive ones, maybe from a sewing shop are better than the dollar shop ones....and maybe they are the ones that come with 'the ball' bit. Mine doesn't have that either.

(but I liked your youtube video anyway, and that looks much more dramatic to do! Like magic!)

Ha ha. I was just talking to my friend who was at the park today and she split her pants. That made me think....her butt is now a seam ripper too!!!!

[Jelfish]

Hah! Thanks Grey Squirrel :)

[pinoyblaze]

good trick man, I've been doing it individually for years... oh the de-stitching is depressing O_o

[Jelfish]

Yeah. There's nothing more off-putting than looking at mile long stitch that shouldn't be there :(

[kate]

Hey, I had to take out about a yard of stitches this afternoon (d'oh!) and that's how I did it, too. I pull at the back thread instead of pulling the fabrics apart but it's the same deal. I love that ripping sound. Like picking at a scab. :)

[miss.green.tea]

Hey, I had to take out about a yard of stitches this afternoon (d'oh!) and that's how I did it, too. I pull at the back thread instead of pulling the fabrics apart but it's the same deal. I love that ripping sound. Like picking at a scab. :)
or picking at nailpolish

or peeling off sunburnt skin

or picking at hangnails...

imma stop now...

[ladyjanewriter]

Yep, I've done that too! Don't try that with stretch fabrics, I'm guessing that'd be not so great and the threads would both pull thru the same side.

And, Jelfish, I feel incredibly stupid. I didn't know you were a guy. :o It's like, "Doop de doo [click link]...oh, the clip has sound, turn up the headphones. OH! Jelfish is a dude! Oh, ok."

You explained it really well.

[Jelfish]

Yep, I've done that too! Don't try that with stretch fabrics, I'm guessing that'd be not so great and the threads would both pull thru the same side.

And, Jelfish, I feel incredibly stupid. I didn't know you were a guy. :o It's like, "Doop de doo [click link]...oh, the clip has sound, turn up the headphones. OH! Jelfish is a dude! Oh, ok."

You explained it really well.
Well, now you know :D

Thanks

[Miss_Gagarin]

Hey Jelfish!

Something kind out of subject. I just looked at your public profile and I have to ask (even if I suspect I already know the answer) : Are you studying Physics? I did too, even if I'm now in engineering...

[Jelfish]

Hey Jelfish!

Something kind out of subject. I just looked at your public profile and I have to ask (even if I suspect I already know the answer) : Are you studying Physics? I did too, even if I'm now in engineering...
Yeah! Actually I graduated this year and am now working in a semiconductor clean room doing electrical-engineering/fabrication research.

You know, no matter what group or community I join, I always seem to eventually meet another physics person, which is interesting because there aren't that many of us. Go physics!

[Miss_Gagarin]

Yeah! Actually I graduated this year and am now working in a semiconductor clean room doing electrical-engineering/fabrication research.

You know, no matter what group or community I join, I always seem to eventually meet another physics person, which is interesting because there aren't that many of us. Go physics!


You're right! We are almost an endangered specie. Unlike you, I decided to go for a 2nd degree in civil engineering instead of working. But physics stays very dear at my heart!!!

And for the topic of the thread, I use a razor blade when I need to do a long, long seam ripping. Got to be careful thought!!!

[Glitterimage2]

I actually have two rippers.

Because I'm awesome like that.

well lucky you but i got three so ha

[Glitterimage2]

i like your idea because i do it that way too

[The Angry Hippie]

I usually just pull the two pieces taut, with the ball (small) side of the stitch ripper inside, and the long side outside, and run the blade down the seam. That's what works for me!

the ball makes all the differance

[Glitterimage2]

i never knew what that ball did until now

[Kiiwii]

Be careful with the ripping and also if you go over the same place once or twice. Its hard to get it out and you could rip your fabric.